When Deacon Kay Mueller discovered that some families at Church of Our Saviour were reluctant to send their children to Camp Wingmann’s popular youth camps, she decided to bring some camp fun to Okeechobee.
Kids enjoy the Bounce House as part of Camp Wingmann’s informational session/fun day.
On Sunday, Nov. 11, Our Saviour hosted the management and staff from Camp Wingmann for its 10:30 a.m. Rite II service, which usually draws more families, according to Mueller. A total of 107 people attended the service, which was promoted for a month. Following the service, the church had a bounce house for the kids and provided a lunch of grilled hamburgers and hot dogs, baked beans, chips, tea and lemonade. Dessert then consisted of ice cream sandwiches for the adults, and a Snow Cone machine for the kids.
“Father Bill Yates from Camp Wingmann co-celebrated and we also had six children ranging from three months to 12 years of age baptized that morning!” Mueller said. “Father Bill brought the homily and current and former staff members shared their stories and testimonies, as well as music, and several staff members brought their families with them.”
Sharing stories and information about Camp Wingmann, a spacious retreat located about 1 ½ hours north of Okeechobee in Avon Park, was the main goal behind the special event. Bishop Greg Brewer long has preached the importance of reaching out into our communities to include all who might not be aware of the opportunities God has placed “in our own backyards.”
“Although we have several children in the age range to attend camp, some parents are reluctant to allow their children to be away from home overnight, especially due to their unfamiliarity with the camp,” Mueller said. “This venue provided an opportunity for firsthand information and social interaction with the camp’s staff among the parents, guardians, and children. Father Bill ran a video in the parish hall after lunch, which showed some of the actual camp experiences of previous campers! Literature was also available.”
With the special event praised as a success, church leaders are now planning to take a field trip to Camp Wingmann early in the first quarter of 2019 following the Diocesan 50th Anniversary Convention on Feb. 1-2.
“This will be a Saturday event and we will caravan families to the camp for a tour, activities and lunch,” Mueller said. “I am pleased to say that all of our families are looking forward to making the trip and the kids are very excited about the opportunity to attend camp.”
Our Saviour will be offering scholarships for kids who want to attend Camp Wingmann events. Wingmann traditionally offers six weeklong events in the summer for youth, focusing on bringing the word of God to campers in a fun-filled camp replete with activities, as well as New Beginnings camps for middle schoolers.
“We want to provide this special ministry to as many of our young people as possible,” Mueller said. “I think the major challenge has been that many of our former young people who attended camp have grown up and moved on. We went through a period of time with a minimal number of children, but we have been blessed with an infusion and growth of young families and we want to promote the fun, fellowship and faith experience that Camp Wingmann provides.”
For more information, please call the church office at 863-763-4843 or email Mueller at kaymueller53@yahoo.com via the internet.
PHOTOS PROVIDED BY CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOUR, OKEECHOBEE